“Give them this command as well. If any native Israelite or foreigner living among you offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice but does not bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle to offer it to the LORD, that person will be cut off from the community. [Leviticus 17.8-9]
There was only one place a person could make a sacrifice. To get to God, one had to come to the Tabernacle.
When Jesus died on the Cross, the Bible makes very clear that the veil in the Temple (permanent Tabernacle) was torn from the top to bottom.
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. [Matthew 27.50-52]
So, here is a question to ponder: When the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, did that signify that man could get to God, or that God could get to man?
It could be understood that the torn curtain in the Temple, because it was torn from top to bottom, would reveal that God did the tearing from His position "above all things." And, as the "Tear-er" in this circumstance, it should furthermore be understood that God was making a move to get to man and not the other way around.
The subject passage above from Leviticus 17.8-9 reveals that God is very exclusive. This is no less obvious in the first three of the Ten Commandments. As "God in the flesh" on the Cross, Jesus' earlier words resonate:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]
Wait! Jesus' words in John 14.6 reveal that a person cannot get to God the Father except through Him (Jesus). So, when the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, it would appear God was approaching man. But, Jesus said man would approach God - albeit only through Himself, Jesus. In this way, God's approach to man AND man's approach to God are consummated in the person of Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 17.8-9 reveals that the Tabernacle was initially the only place God and man could interact. Matthew 27.50-52 reveals that Jesus is now the only place God and man can interact. Jesus spoke it in John 14.6, then God made it happen. Interestingly enough, that interaction, in context, yielded people being miraculously raised from the dead confirming the miraculous nature of God-to-man, man-to-God union (as opposed to what "dead religion" makes it look like).
Here, we should consider that Leviticus 17 reveals that any person attempting relationship with God anywhere besides God's designated place would be "cut off from the community." That person would not enjoy all the benefits of the community. So it is with any person who attempts to get to God by any means other than Jesus - he is cut off from every benefit of the community - the blessings of God (see Deuteronomy 28.1-14). In application, this means any other "way" to God does not yield blessings, but instead yields curses (see Deuteronomy 28.15-68).
The implications of this upon "the Church" today are alarmingly serious! The obvious benefits (blessings) of being in community with God through Jesus are largely non-existent in the modern Church today. The only conclusion that may be scripturally drawn from this observation is that the modern Church today is, in fact, not in community with Jesus. Jesus' words ring hauntingly true:
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]
Jesus did not hold back on what being in community with God through Him looks like:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
The solution is to believe in Jesus.
Believing in Jesus, however, cannot exclude repentance:
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” [Mark 1.15]
Faith in Jesus is a lifestyle, not a single event. Repentance is the beginning and continuation of that lifestyle. Any "faith in Jesus" that does not include repentance is a farce. Likewise, any "faith in Jesus" that does not include His works is a lie. This is what God's Word (and Jesus Himself) says, and, it dates back as far as Leviticus 17.8-9!
Father, the miracle-less community most of us live in today reveals that we are not in community with You through Jesus Christ, but, in fact, are outside - having been cut off - from that community. May we be found genuinely repentant (giving up our own ways that clearly are not revealing Jesus in us), genuinely believing (taking up our cross that reveals Jesus - even to the point of death), and following Jesus. So be it.
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